COVID19-122 - October 30, 2024
 

Dear Patients,

 

Sheryl Crowe is a survivor: she survived Lance Armstrong and she survived breast cancer. And she is still rocking!
 
 

On a musical note:

 
 
 
 
 

On a musical note:

 Sheryl Crowe's Every Day Is a Winding Road.

If you are feeling down, take heart in this song and some of the lyrics:
 
Jump in, let's go
Lay back, enjoy the show
Everybody gets high, everybody gets low
These are the days when anything goes
 
 

A few announcements:

 

  1. Get your flu shot, if possible before the end of November. Many pharmacies and grocery stores are offering them, and most accept insurance.
  2. Although the flu vaccine only prevents the flu in about 25% of the population, if you get the flu, the shot reduces the need for medical attention by about 60%.
  3. There are 3 RSV vaccines; I do not recommend taking the mRNA RSV vaccine (Moderna and mRESVIA) until more safety data is available.
  4. New data on the original 2 non-mRNA RSV vaccines validates its safety. I recommend it for people over the age of 75 or people over 60 with chronic medical problems like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or immunosuppression.
  5. The same continues to be true for COVID-19 vaccines: I only suggest the protein subunit vaccine (Novavax) for those people who feel vulnerable.
  6. I am not convinced the mRNA vaccines are safe.
  7. Always ask the pharmacist to show you the syringe or vial from which your immunization is coming from before you allow them to inject you!
 

On a lighter note: Happy Halloween!
 
 

As a reminder, I no longer send out daily updates, instead, I'm updating you periodically. I continue to enjoy writing these updates. Initially, these were only sent to my patients, however, I've been humbled to learn that, through social media, these writings have been forwarded and re-forwarded to many. This has brought me great joy to know that this simple act of sharing facts, thoughts, opinions, and hopes has touched you somehow. Hopefully, I've been able to reassure you, make you smile and laugh, soothe your worries, and comfort you. And maybe, just maybe, I've helped you to be in the moment!
 
 

Reach out. Stay connected. Stay home. Save lives. The power of one. Be well.

Feel free to forward this on: spread the word, not the virus.

HAO

24/7

 

Harry Oken, M.D.

Adjunct Professor of Medicine

University of Maryland, School of Medicine

 

Office 410-910-7500

Fax   410-910-2310 

Cell   443-324-0823
 
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